David Bowie Gets Biblical In ‘The Next Day’ Clip

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David Bowie played the role of Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese’s controversial film The Last Temptation Of Christ, but judging by his new video for “The Next Day,” he may have wanted the title role.

The video was directed by Floria Sigismondi (who directed the recent biopic The Runaways, as well as Bowie’s “Little Wonder” and “Dead Man Walking” videos), but was written by Bowie, and contains lots of religious imagery.

The video opens with Gary Oldman playing a priest who punches a street beggar in the face as he enters an apparent night club full of clergy. He then engages in less-than-pious behavior with the women in the club. Bowie, clad in a brown robe, sings on stage as the women dance suggestively. Marion Cotillard, who plays as a prostitute, begins suffering from a severe case of stigmata causing the dancing to come to a halt.

“The Next Day” is the third video off the album of the same name. Bowie released the new album in March (the first in ten years). Along with “The Next Day,” Bowie has released videos for the album’s “Where Are You Now?” and “The Stars Are (Out Tonight,)” which featured actress Tilda Swinton.